Traffic Safety Specialist
To develop effective solutions that address local and statewide traffic safety issues, law enforcement agencies must have personnel on staff that are highly skilled and motivated in traffic safety. The Traffic Safety Specialist (TSS) program was designed to recognize law enforcement officers for their experience, education, training and proficiency in highway safety and traffic enforcement methods and procedures, and to encourage ongoing professional development in these areas. Established in 2008, the program provides a framework by which law enforcement officers can receive credit and recognition for their skills and contributions to traffic safety. The TSS Program is a collaborative effort of the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration Highway Safety Office (MHSO), the Maryland Association of Chiefs of Police (MCPA), and the Maryland Sheriffs Association (MSA). The program is administered by MHSO and is overseen by an Executive Committee composed of representatives from each of the partner organizations.
The key feature of the program, the Traffic Safety Specialist (TSS) Designation, is a statewide, uniform and consistent recognition of police officers who have attained notable levels of experience, education, training and proficiency in highway safety and traffic enforcement methods and procedures. The TSS Designation is awarded by the Maryland Highway Safety Office (MHSO), and the program is open to all certified police officers, deputy sheriffs, and state troopers from Maryland law enforcement agencies, and Federal law enforcement agencies that have jurisdiction in Maryland.
There are three designations within the TSS Program: TSS I, TSS II and TSS III. Each successive designation requires increasing levels of experience, training, job performance, and skills proficiency as a traffic enforcement officer. To be eligible for a TSS Designation, officers must enroll in the program electronically and submit all required documentation for the specific designation they are seeking. TSS III require a traffic safety project which must be reviewed and approved by the TSS Executive Committee.
The program currently has hundreds of officers representing various law enforcement agencies in Maryland including Federal agencies operating in the state. Each year officers achieving a TSS designation are recognized at an Awards Luncheon and receive a TSS award, certificate and a uniform ribbon indicating their designation level.
The key feature of the program, the Traffic Safety Specialist (TSS) Designation, is a statewide, uniform and consistent recognition of police officers who have attained notable levels of experience, education, training and proficiency in highway safety and traffic enforcement methods and procedures. The TSS Designation is awarded by the Maryland Highway Safety Office (MHSO), and the program is open to all certified police officers, deputy sheriffs, and state troopers from Maryland law enforcement agencies, and Federal law enforcement agencies that have jurisdiction in Maryland.
There are three designations within the TSS Program: TSS I, TSS II and TSS III. Each successive designation requires increasing levels of experience, training, job performance, and skills proficiency as a traffic enforcement officer. To be eligible for a TSS Designation, officers must enroll in the program electronically and submit all required documentation for the specific designation they are seeking. TSS III require a traffic safety project which must be reviewed and approved by the TSS Executive Committee.
The program currently has hundreds of officers representing various law enforcement agencies in Maryland including Federal agencies operating in the state. Each year officers achieving a TSS designation are recognized at an Awards Luncheon and receive a TSS award, certificate and a uniform ribbon indicating their designation level.